Minolta DiMAGE Z20

Minolta DiMAGE Z20

Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z20 Review

By
Movable Type Admin

Review posted 7/29/2005

Click on the Z20 for 360° QuickTime VR tour

The DiMAGE Z20 is an affordable 5.0-megapixel digital camera featuring a long focal length 8x optical zoom lens. It's perfect for taking high quality close-up portraits as well as distant scenic landscapes. And with the its Rapid AF with Predictive Focus Control and a 0.5-second (approx.) fastest-in-class startup, photographers will be sure to captures those unexpected photographic opportunities. Despite the large zoom lens, the DiMAGE Z20 weighs only 10.6 ounces (without batteries) and has an ergonomic form to give users a steady grip and an easy to use, intuitive control button layout.

The DiMAGE Z20's 8x optical Mega Zoom lens and 4x digital zoom combine for a total 32x zoom, allowing users to capture everything from sporting events to panoramic scenery. The optical lens system consists of 11 elements in nine groups and includes two aspheric lenses, a construction that adds up to sharp, high-quality images. The new DiMAGE Z20 combines a 5.0-megapixel primary-color CCD with proprietary CxProcess™ III image processing technology for pictures that are exactly the way the photographer sees them.

The DiMAGE Z20's Rapid AF combines a passive AF sensor with the video AF system, giving a fast focusing time of approximately 0.3 second in both the wide-angle and telephoto positions. The Rapid AF also has Predictive Focus Control, which predicts where a moving subject is heading and focuses accordingly. To round out the list of quick-response features, the DiMAGE Z20 has the fastest startup in its class (approximately 0.5 seconds), a short shutter-release time lag, and continuous shooting.

Not only is the DiMAGE Z20 a sprinter with its fast startup - it's also a marathon champ with power efficiency that allows users to take up to approximately 450 frames with the four included AA alkaline batteries. This is more shots than any other digital camera in its class.

The DiMAGE Z20 has a Macro mode that allows photographers to bring the lens as close as 0.4 inches from the subject. Capture the smallest subjects -- flowers, insects, or jewelry -- with the greatest detail. In addition to all its still shooting features, the DiMAGE Z20 can also take high-quality movie clips in VGA (640x480) size.

1.0 Frame per second (Approximately)* Actual speed may vary depending upon the subject and camera settings.

Approximate number of frames that can be captured at one time with the continuous-advance drive modes:

Continuous Advance

2560x1920

2048x1536

1600x1200

640x480

Fine

3 frames

3 frames

5 frames

28 frames

Standard

4 frames

7 frames

11 frames

45 frames

Economy

9 frames

13 frames

20 frames

64 frames

* Actual number of images may vary depending upon the subject and camera settings.

Progressive Capture

Stores images from the latest frame captured with the continuous advance.Maximum number of images that can be recorded with the Progressive Capture mode: Maximum6 frames (Approximately1 frame per second)

Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.